STURTEVANT, Wis. — The Carthage College men's golf team finished third at its home Firebirds Fall Invite on Monday and Tuesday at Ives Grove Golf Links. The Firebirds carded a two-round team score of 581, finishing just two strokes behind tournament champion Aurora and one stroke behind Millikin.
The Firebirds opened the tournament with a 290 in the first round before shooting a 291 in the second round to finish with a two-round total of 581. Tayt Hager led the Firebirds individually, tying for first overall with a two-round score of 139. Hager opened with a 67 before posting a 72 in the final round.
Nick Barry finished tied for 10th place with a two-round score of 145. Barry carded a 77 in the opening round before firing a 68 in the second round.
James Tyrrell finished tied for 17th overall with a 147, recording rounds of 73 and 74.
Zach Croom led the Carthage C team, tying for 34th with a 150 overall score. Scoring a 76 in the first round followed by a 74. Tied with Croom was Grady Puett for Carthage B team, with identical rounds. Rylan Frazer for Carthage B tied for 40th with a score of 151, carding 78 and 73. Elliott Leibham finished tied for 45th with a two-round total of 152. Leibham opened with a 75 before carding a 77 in the final round. Grant Faherty finished 56th with a 154. Faherty posted rounds of 75 and 79.
"It is always fun to host a tournament, and you feel like you have a bit of an edge because you are playing a golf course you are familiar with. We always seem to attract a strong field, and that little home course edge is big against such strong competition. With our A Team finishing in third of the 16 teams, our B Team finishing 11th, and our C team finishing 12th, I think we represented ourselves very well, and showed we are quite comfortable at Ives Grove.
-Shooting 290 and 291 on back to back days is very solid golf. I think we will eventually go lower than that, but that was two very good days.
-Aurora finished a close 3rd in last year's NCAA National Championship, and they appear to have another top ranked team. It felt good to finish ahead of them on day 1, but we knew on day 2 we would have to be exceptional to beat them for the tourney championship. Sure enough, we play very well, but they simply go lights out, shoot 6 under par as a team, and grab the title.
-I am very proud of Tayt earning that individual championship. The work he put in this summer was exemplary, and I knew eventually it was going to mean some big things on the scorecard. To earn medalist honors against that field is simply outstanding, and I think it just might give him the confidence to take the next step, become that guy that threatens to break par every time out."
Next up for the Firebirds is "Clash at the Creek" on Tuesday September 22nd. For more information, visit our athletics website.
